The adorable Jack Russell Terrier is one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. These dogs are very independent, super smart, as well as lively. While they may be charming and super affectionate, they can be hard to train and manage. Do not let that deter you because these dogs are as smart as they are cute.

Fast Facts:
Jack Russell Terriers are in the Terrier dog breed group. They are pretty small, ranging from 10 inches to 1 foot and three inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight range is about 13 to 17 pounds so they are a pretty solid dog. Their lifespan is nice and long so you can expect to keep your Jack Russell for 10 to 15 years.

History:

About 200 years ago, hunting was a very popular pastime for men in England, especially men in the church. One of those men was Parson John “Jack” Russell. He loved to hunt with his friends and wanted an efficient hunting dog to go with him on his trips. With this, he decided to design a hunting dog that would be a perfect fit for him. He wanted an athletic dog who was fast, intelligent, determined, and had a desire to hunt. Russell wanted this dog to hunt with hounds and entice foxes from their dens so that the hounds could then chase those foxes. After many trials and errors, Russell finally created the perfect hunting dog: The Jack Russell Terrier. After many years of working successfully in England, the Jack Russell Terrier was known in the US by the 1930’s and it was debated as to whether the breed should compete in conformation shows or remain a working dog. Today, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America considers the breed a purely hunting dog.

Characteristics:

Jack Russell Terriers are very energetic and spirited with a ton of personality in a little body. They are very loving and devoted to their owners while also being very amusing and fun to play with. As stated before, these dogs are incredibly intelligent which can make them very difficult to train at first.  Because of their hunting roots, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and any animal that might resemble prey. Their fearless nature can also put them in danger when they try to take on a bigger dog because they have a Napoleon Complex similar to Poms. Jack Russells thrive on structure and routine but training sessions should remain short or else they lose interest. Similar to the other dogs discussed in this blog, the Jack Russell need early socialization to ensure that they grow up to be well-rounded.

Jack Russells Take Hollywood:

Because of how smart Jack Russells are, they are commonly used in Hollywood in many movies and tv shows. One Jack Russell that is very famous is Uggie. Uggie was born in 2002 and was rescued from the pound by Omar Von Muller after his original owner thought he was too “wild.” Uggie was made famous from his roles in the movies Water for Elephants and more importantly, The Artist. All audiences were captured by Uggie in The Artist because of how well trained he was and all the amazing tricks that he did in the movie. Jack Russells had a long history in Hollywood, it was not just Uggie. In 1938, a Jack Russell named George appeared with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant in the movie. “Bringing Up Baby.” Jack Russells also appear in movies such as The Mask, the Jerk, and Wishbone.

If you want to make some extra money by making your dog a star or if you just want to have a new vibrant companion, then adopt a Jack Russell Terrier!

 

The famous German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds because of how intelligent and capable they are. They are devoted, courageous, and versatile.  They are so easily trained which is why they make great guide and assistance dogs, police and military service dogs, drug detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Aside from being great at the many jobs that they do, they are also wonderful companions.

 

Fast Facts:

German Shepherds are herding dogs who are medium sized, ranging from 75 to 95 pounds and about 1 to 2 feet tall. They have wonderful trainability and are very good with people but not necessarily other dogs. They are a very active breed and need daily exercise but it is also very important to socialize a German Shepherd to other dogs as well as people as early as possible.

History:

The German Shepherd dates back to 1898, making it a relatively new breed. This breed is very unique because it stems from one man: Captain Max von Stephanitz. He was a captain in the German cavalry who wanted to create a German herding dog to attend to the farms. After Stephanitz retired from the military, he devoted his life to creating the perfect herding dog. He studied the breeding techniques of the British and he also traveled around Germany to observe the perfect German-type herding dog.  One day, he finally found the perfect dog: a wolfish-looking dog with a powerful physique and intelligence unmatched by any other dog he ever saw before. With the world industrializing, Stephanitz realized that there was not a need for a herding dog but rather a military dog. Stephanitz then asked the government to use the dog in World War I and the German Shepherd served as a Red Cross dog, messenger, rescuer, and guard. The breed was so popular that it traveled to America and continued to be breeded there.

Characteristics:

German Shepherds are extremely loyal once they get to know someone. At first, they are very shy and are not good at making friends, but once they do, they are extremely devoted to them. When they are comfortable with people they know, they are very easy-going and nice but if they are feeling threatened, they become very strong and protective which makes them a powerful watchdog. German Shepherds love having a job to do and they are very good at any task that is presented to them because of their superior intelligence. While they are usually very easy-going, German Shepherds are not good at being alone. They need to let their energy out in some way, whether that be with another companion or with a walk outside. If they do not let out their energy, they can get easily agitated and resort to barking or chewing. One of the most important things to do for a German Shepherd, besides exercising, is to socialize the breed at a very young age so that the dog grows up to be well-rounded and agreeable.

 

Celebrities with German Shepherds:

Because the breed is so popular, it is no wonder that there are many celebrities that own this powerful breed. For example, Tom Hanks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Aniston are just a few celebrities who all have German Shepherds. These celebrities take good care of these dogs because they are always seen walking them around California.

If you want to be cool like Jake Gyllenhaal in a beanie, then adopt a German Shepherd! Maybe you have younger siblings at home who have been begging your parents for a dog. If so, this is a terrific breed to get because you will get a protector as well as a friend.